At Southampton Hospitals Charity, we support the hospital in the ways that matter most to patients, families, and staff. But some of the most valuable support we provide is the kind that doesn’t fit into a single category – it’s about being there for the hospital when something can’t wait.
Our Priority Appeal gives us the flexibility to fund urgent projects and practical improvements across the hospital, wherever the need is greatest. That might mean kit and equipment that can improve a patient care and treatment, supporting NHS staff with essential resources, or stepping in when something unexpected arises.
A flexible fund with immediate impact
This area of our work is shaped directly by working closely with staff and clinical teams across University Hospital Southampton, identifying areas where your support will make the biggest difference.
The Priority Appeal gives us the freedom to support a wide range of needs, adapting as priorities shift and ensuring we’re ready to respond when help is most needed. It allows us to act quickly and make meaningful changes without delay.
Your support in action
Vein finders that reduce pain and waiting times
For patients undergoing cancer treatment or frequent blood tests, having blood taken can be uncomfortable – especially when veins are difficult to locate.
Thanks to your support, Southampton Hospitals Charity funded specialist vein finders for both the phlebotomy and oncology teams. These handheld devices use infrared technology to help clinicians locate veins quickly and accurately, reducing discomfort, failed attempts, and delays.
For staff, they make a huge difference to efficiency. For patients, they can make repeat procedures more bearable.
Keeping patients connected with hospital Wi-Fi
For patients spending long hours or days in hospital, staying connected to loved ones can be a lifeline. Thanks to donations to our Priority Appeal, free Wi-Fi is now available across University Hospital Southampton, fully funded by Southampton Hospitals Charity.
Whether it’s a video call with family, entertainment during treatment, or simply the comfort of feeling connected to the outside world, this service makes a real difference to the hospital experience. It also helps families stay informed and in touch when they can’t be at the bedside.
It’s something many now expect as standard – but without charity funding, it simply wouldn’t be there.
Footstools aiding recovery on the orthopaedic ward
After major surgery, every movement matters – especially for patients recovering from hip or pelvic injuries.
Thanks to your donations, we funded specialist footstools for the orthopaedic ward at University Hospital Southampton. These simple but essential tools support patients during physiotherapy, helping them position themselves correctly and safely as they rebuild strength and mobility.
The stools also allow patients to sit somewhere other than their bed, making their time with us more comfortable.
“A few weeks ago, after my leg accident, it was so painful, but the footstool helped relieve a lot of my pain and enabled me to sit upright. This also helped me a lot with my digestive system and my asthma. The footstool gave me the freedom to sit up rather than being stuck in bed with more complications.”
Natasha, Patient on orthopaedic ward
Hospitals are dynamic, fast-moving places. The needs of patients and staff evolve quickly, and with your help, we can keep up.
The Priority Appeal is one of the most impactful ways to support our work. It helps us do more of what matters, when it’s needed most.